Syntheses, topological analyses and photoelectric properties of Ag(I)/Cu(I) metal-organic frameworks based on a tetradentate imidazolate ligand

A new tetradentate imidazolate ligand 1,1',1'',1'''-(2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexamethylbiphenyl-3,3',5,5'-tetrayl) tetrakis(methylene)(1H-imidazole) (L) and four Ag(I)/Cu(I) coordination polymers, namely [(MCN)3L]n (1: M=Ag; 2: M=Cu), and [(MSCN)2L]n (3: M=Ag; 4: M=Cu) are described. All four new coordination polymers were fully characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 features a 3D supramolecular framework constructed by 1D chains through inter-chain Ag-N(CN) and inter-layer Ag-N(L) weak interactions with an uninodal 66 topology. Complex 2 presents a 3D framework characterized by a tetranodal (3,4)-connected (3.4.5.102.11)(3.4.5.6.7.9)(3.6.7)(6.102) topology. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural, and both have a 3D network of trinodal 4-connected (4.85)2(42.82.102)(42.84)2 topology. The luminescent properties for these compounds in the solid state as well as the possible ferroelectric behavior of 1 are discussed. - Graphical abstract: Four coordination polymers built upon Ag(I)/Cu(I) pseudohalides and a imidazolate ligand have been solvothermally synthesized. The luminescent properties for these compounds and the possible ferroelectric behavior of 1 are discussed.